The Game of Silence by Louise Erdrich

Erdrich, Louise. 2005. The Game of Silence. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN 0060297891

(I hadn't read the first novel in this series, and so there is always that awkward first part of the book where the characters are presented as old friends, except I didn't have any emotional attachment to them yet. However, in terms of the story itself, it wasn't necessary to read the first one to understand the plot.)

This novel opens with the young girl Omakayas watching refugees from another tribe arriving to beg her tribe for assistance. They are bedraggled, hungry, and desperate for a place of safety. Omakayas learns important lessons about kindness from her tribe's reaction to these newcomers, but the tribe learns important information from the refugees, as well. The white settlers are pushing the Ojibwan peoples farther and farther west into land that is already occupied by other tribes who are resentful of newcomers. The tension that the Omakayas' family feels is beautifully symbolized by the game of silence that the children play so that the adults can discuss serious issues. Omakayas' everyday routines of collecting rice at the rice camp, tanning moose hides, and learning to bead are lovingly detailed, giving a true sense of historical accuracy to Omakayas' story.

Omakayas in many ways is a typical adolescent feeling jealousy and anger while also learning about kindness and her own destiny. But in other important ways, Omakayas is clearly a Native American with Native American ideas and ways of looking at the world. She has dreams that are symbolic and prophetic, she views the older people in her family with deep respect, and she wants the way of life that she has always known to continue unchanged. This book is both a beautiful coming of age story and a powerful historical novel.

AWARDS AND REVIEWS:

"Against the backdrop of Ojibwa cultural traditions, Omakayas also conveys the universal experiences of childhood--a love of the outdoors, a reluctance to do chores, devotion to a pet--as well as her ability to cope with the seemingly unbearable losses of the winter. The author hints at Omakayas's unusual background and her calling as a healer, as well as the imminent dangers of the "chimookoman" or white people, setting the stage for future episodes. Into her lyrical narrative, Erdrich weaves numerous Ojibwa words, effectively placing them in context to convey their meanings. Readers will want to follow this family for many seasons to come." --Publisher's Weekly

"The first book won enormous praise, including a National Book Award nomination, but this novel is even better. The themes are not only more profound, but the episodic structure of the previous novel is also much exceeded by the interweaving plot threads of young love, sibling rivalry, and frustration with gender roles. The threat that the federal government poses to the community is more than just a framing device; it penetrates all the other concerns of the novel, drawing them tightly together. This novel combines all the emotion and joy of The Birchbark House with an impressive deftness of structure." --VOYA

CONNECTIONS:

I think young readers might enjoy playing the game of silence that is so pivotal to this story, and then reflect on their experience through writing (poetry, maybe?).

The Birchbark House by the same author is the first in this series for those who want to read them in order.

This could be paired with another novel that scrupulously details the everyday details of this time period, but from the settlers' perspective like The Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Crispin: At the Edge of the World by Avi

Avi. 2006. Crispin: At the Edge of the World. New York: Hyperion. ISBN 078685152

While the first book ends with Crispin renouncing his birthright to save his friend Bear, this second offering begins with Crispin and Bear traveling free at last. Unfortunately, the secret brotherhood to which Bear belonged mistakenly believes that he has informed on them, and begins to search for Crispin and Bear to avenge themselves. When Bear is injured, Crispin has to make new friends in unlikely places to save his friend. Danger continues to follow Bear, Crispin, and their new friend, Troth, across the ocean into the war-torn land of France. Throughout the novel, Crispin faces his own ignorance, makes difficult decisions, and learns lessons of loyalty, forgiveness, and survival.

This novel serves up a thoughtful exploration of growing up and also a pleasing piece of historical fiction. Avi captures the superstition and fear of the devil that would be typical in this time period perfectly in Crispin's initial negative reaction to Aude, a midwife who worships the old gods, but helps heal Bear. Those who are interested in the historical background of the novel will appreciate the author's note that gives an overview of the period of the novel.

AWARDS & REVIEWS:

"Avi takes the reader on another exciting adventure into the world of Old England. The charm of the scenery and the loveable characters make this book a must read. Do not hold back on cheering on Bear and Crispin as they struggle to survive in a world that they do not seem to belong to. What an awesome storyteller Avi has become, and may he honor us with more of Crispin's quests." --Children's Literature

"This second book in a planned trilogy explores even more thoughtfully the themes of religion, war, the motives of men, and the meaning of family. This is an extraordinary work of lyrical simplicity, nearly flawless in its execution, and a haunting tale of love and loss. Readers will devour this story and eagerly anticipate the conclusion of Crispin's adventures." --School Library Journal

CONNECTIONS:

Of course, readers should read Crispin: The Cross of Lead before reading this book in order to understand the strength of the relationship between Crispin and Bear.

This book could pair with an activity in the classroom: a medieval fair! Students could research historically accurate activities of a medieval fair and put it on for other classes or for their families.

This book could also be paired with Catherine, Called Birdy or The Midwife's Apprentice, both by Karen Cushman.

The language of this book would lend itself really beautifully to reader's theater. Students could get in small groups and write their own and then perform them for the class.

Jip: His Story by Katherine Paterson

Paterson, Katherine. 1998. Jip: His Story. New York: Penguin. ISBN 0140386742

Jip has lived and worked at the poor farm for as long as he can remember, having been dropped off the back of a wagon when he was only two years old. But although Jip is mostly content with his life, he wonders what kind of family doesn't return for their little boy when they realize that he's fallen out of the wagon. Jip's life begins to broaden beyond the farm when he builds a cage for Put, the insane man with occasional violent fits, who is to live at the poor farm, locked-up for safekeeping. Jip makes friends with Put, and begins to attend school. But his past soon catches up with him in ways that will change his world, and his sense of identity, forever.

Paterson's dialogue is always realistic, but in Jip: His Story, Paterson seems to be exceptionally deft. She writes the colloquial speech of Jip, Put, his schoolteacher, and her Quaker friend with a sure touch. The historical element of this story is fascinating, but not overly intrusive to the plot of the story itself. The main character of Jip is compassionate, hard-working, and understanding. Parents will appreciate the lessons of loyalty, acceptance, and kindness, while juvenile readers will appreciate the plot surprises and the exciting resolution to Jip's story.

AWARDS & REVIEWS:

Like Paterson's Newbery-winning Bridge to Terabithia and Jacob Have I Loved, this historically accurate story is full of revelations and surprises . . . While Jip's concerns provide insight into 19th-century society, his yearnings for freedom and knowledge are timeless. The taut, extremely readable narrative and its tender depictions of friendship and loyalty provide first-rate entertainment." --Publisher's Weekly

"Anything by Katherine Paterson is a pleasure to read." --Children's Literature

"Jip is a compassionate hero to be cried over, feared for, and cheered on. What could be better to read aloud or booktalk?" --VOYA

CONNECTIONS:

This book would be a great companion book to other fiction or non-fiction books about the Underground Railroad, Harriet Tubman, etc. Some titles: Underground Railroad Sampler, Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad, or Harriet Tubman: A Woman of Courage.

Readers who enjoy this book, may want to read Lyddie by Katherine Paterson, because the title character in Lyddie appears in this book as his inspirational teacher.

Lincoln: A Photobiography

Freedman, Russell. 1989. Lincoln: A Photobiography. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN 0395518482

This well-written and well-organized biography of Abraham Lincoln is full of fascinating photographs, important quotes from the president and his contemporaries, as well as a clear delineation between the true Lincoln and the "legendary" Lincoln. The text is clearly written, and for once I really understood why the Civil War took so long for the North to win, when they had more people, more weapons, more factories, more everything. The book is organized chronologically, following Lincoln through his childhood, early years as a lawyer, his failures as an aspiring politician and his journey to the White House. Of course, the majority of the book focuses on his time as president and commander-in-chief. This book shows what an extraordinary leader Lincoln was, but it also shows that in many ways, that he was also an ordinary man with concerns as a father, husband and friend.

AWARDS & REVIEWS:

1988 Newbery Medal Winner
Jefferson Cup Award Winner

"Few, if any, of the many books written for children about Lincoln can compare with Freedman's contribution. More than 80 photographs and prints illustrate the crisp and informative text. The pictures have been well-placed to coordinate with the text; captions have been written with care as well. While many of the photographs are well-known, many less familiar pictures are also included." --School Library Journal

CONNECTIONS:

Other biographies by Russell Freedman include: Eleanor Roosevelt: A Life of Discovery, The Wright Brothers: How They Invented the Airplane, Out of Darkness: The Story of Louis Braille, and so many others!

There's also a biography of Russell Freedman that students could read (Russell Freedman by Susan P. Bloom) if they are interested in what motivates his choices of who he writes about and why.

This biography would also be a great companion piece to portions of The Civil War: A Film by Ken Burns.

Danger! Volcanoes by Seymour Simon

Simon, Seymour. 2003. Danger! Volcanoes. New York: Sea Star Books. ISBN 1587171813

Beginning with a definition of a volcano along with definitions of lava, magma, and more, Simon also covers the different types of volcanoes found in the world: dome volcanoes, composite volcanoes, shield volcanoes, etc. Simon discusses both the fiery, destructive power and the creative power of a volcano (Did you know that most of the Earth's surface comes from volcanic eruptions?). The text is directly and simply written, and the pictures are evocative and stunning. My children had me read the book to them once, but then they thumbed through the book over and over, just looking at the amazing photographs of volcanic eruptions, lava flows, and ash clouds. This is a straightforward science text with fascinating pictures that will be sure to please younger children who are interested in the world around them.

AWARDS & REVIEWS:

"Volcanoes begins with two full-page spreads of volcanoes erupting, first with a sky of smoke and then with a sky of fire. There can be no doubt in youngsters' minds that they are reading about something powerful, and Simon describes the damage as well as the positive aspects of these explosions. The photographs are so compelling that it is a shame that they are not identified (although the sources are given). How a volcano changes the weather and how lava comes through that hole in the ground are left unanswered, but this introductory book is meant to whet the appetite, and that it does." --School Library Journal

"Basic information about volcanoes' inner core, shield, dome, and the different types of volcanoes and the serious danger that composites pose are all clearly presented." --Children's Literature

CONNECTIONS:

Other introductory volcano informational texts include Volcanoes by Franklyn Mansfield Branley, Time for Kids: Volcanoes from the TimeKids series, and Volcanoes by Nancy Harris and Lynn Armstrong.

This would be a great companion book to read with the time-honored tradition of building your own volcano using vinegar and baking soda!

For older readers, this piece could be used to briefly introduce the science behind Don Wood's graphic novel Into the Volcano.

Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Bartoletti, Susan Campbell. 2005. Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 0439353793

This non-fiction book tells the story of children and teenagers who grew up in Germany during Hitler's rise to power and throughout World War II. This book is organized chronologically, but also is organized around the experiences of twelve different young people: some of them were members of the Hitler Youth, some were resisters, and some were persecuted Jewish youth. One of the most beautiful things about this book is that it avoids moralizing: the story and experiences are told sparely, using primarily the young people's own words, gleaned from interviews, diaries, and memoirs. This allows the reader to draw their own conclusions about the Hitler Youth organization. While this book is filled with interesting facts about the day to day operation of the Hitler Youth, the book is also a treasure trove of poignant pictures that capture the public face of the Hitler Youth and the private shame of Hitler's anti-Semitic policies. This is an extremely interesting, informative and insightful book about what it was like to grow up "in Hitler's shadow".

AWARDS & REVIEWS:

1996 Newbery Honor Book
1996 Sibert Honor Book

"Bartoletti lets many of the subjects' words, emotions and deeds speak for themselves, bringing them together clearly to tell this story unlike anyone else has." --School Library Journal, starred review

"Nonfiction writing at its best. Essential for WWII collections as well as teaching units on conformity, peer pressure and resistance." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Bartoletti draws on oral histories, diaries, letters, and her own extensive interviews with Holocaust survivors, Hitler Youth, resisters, and bystanders to tell the history from the viewpoints of people who were there." --Booklist, starred review

CONNECTIONS:

Other books that are appropriate for this age group that could be paired with this non-fiction book include Number the Stars by Lois Lowry and Anne Frank's Diary. The back of the book also has an extensive reference list that a teacher might use to glean further first-hand information about the experiences of WWII.

Students could also conduct their own research on the people interviewed for this book (I found ample material about Helmuth Hubener, Karl Heinz-Schnibbe, etc.) and discuss what the author left out and why (for example, Helmuth Hubener was excommunicated from his church but reinstated posthumously).

Stop Pretending by Sonya Sones

Sones, Sonya. 1999. Stop Pretending: What Happened When My Big Sister Went Crazy. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 0439250706

Stop Pretending, a beautifully written and honest verse novel, is the story of Cookie, whose sister "goes crazy" on Christmas Eve. Cookie writes about not only her sister's mental illness, but also other typical adolescent concerns: a new boyfriend, the betrayal of friends, and dealing with parents. Cookie's struggle to reconcile the happy memories of life with her sister before her mental illness with the harsh reality of visiting her sister in a mental institution is not only thought-provoking, but also makes for beautiful poetry. She wonders:

Does the
man who wanders
the neighborhood, wearing
three heavy overcoats in the
swelter

of the
summer, have a
little sister who lies
awake at night wondering where
he is?

Adolescents will identify with the confusion that Cookie feels--not just about her family situation, but also about school and friendships. Adolescent readers will also rejoice as Cookie begins to find her footing in this new world, this world where her sister is not quite the sister she remembers fondly, where her family doesn't quite work the way it did in the past, where she herself is not quite as carefree as she used to be.

AWARDS & REVIEWS:

2000 Best Books for Young Adults (ALA)
2000 Quick Picks for Young Adults (Recomm. Books for Reluctant Young Readers)

"Individually, the poems appear simple and unremarkable, snapshot portraits of two sisters, a family, unfaithful friends, and a sweet first love. Collected, they take on life and movement, the individual frames of a movie that in the unspooling become animated, telling a compelling tale and presenting a painful passage through young adolescence." --Kirkus Reviews

CONNECTIONS:

Compare one of the poems in this novel with a poem from another verse novel (maybe Out of the Dust) to look at the differences in the authors' style, meter, and word choice.

Students could create artwork for one of the poems or for several of the poems (one of the poems specifically talks about the art Cookie creates of her family: her mother's eyes are zippers, her father's eyes are broken windows).